Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak and his Central Coast Mariners are champions of A-League!

In a superb match by Nick Montgomery-coached side, the Vanuatu national hero and his Central Coast Mariners defied the odds put a strong performance over the mighty Melbourne City. In a flawless performance of the central defender, the Central Coast Mariners seemed always very close to take the glory as they’ve done so in fashion after beating City by 6-1. With the result, Mariners end a 10-drought of A-League’s title and Brian Kaltak confirms himself as the first ever Pacific Islander to win the Australian’s A-League.

In a great first half, Mariners were always a threat in the counter and Beni N’Kololo cross found Jason Cummings in the penalty box to put his team ahead at the 20th minute. The striker needed two opportunities to put it over Tom Glover. Melbourne pushed forward to find an equaliser, but it was Mariners that through Sam Silveira in a fantastic solo effort put his pace over City’s Nuno Reis to place it at the bottom corner to give Mariners a two-goal advantage.

Still in the first half Melbourne found themselves a lifeline as Socceroos‘ star Jamie McLaren found the Dutch midfielder Richard van der Venne in the middle of the box to finish it past Danny Vukovic. The current premiers cut the deficit and expected to find an equaliser in the second half.

Melbourne could not do different as they pushed forward in the early stages of the final 45 minutes. Brian Kaltak and his partner in defense Nectar Triants made a number of clearances, alongside All Whites’ members Storm Roux and James McGarry in the back four. With the introduction of the youngster Jacob Farrell in place of McGarry, Mariners got a lot of speed in their left flank and it paid off in the first touch of the wing back on the ball as he was brought down in the box by Andrew Nabbout. With an easy penalty call for referee Chris Beath, the striker Jason Cummings made no mistake from the spot kick to restore the two-goal margin for the Mariners.

Minutes later, in another counter, Marco Túlio found Farrell in an overlap run, the youngster crossed it to the area and it hit the arm of Melbourne City’s Callum Talbot. Another penalty-kick was awarded, Cummings step-up and made no mistake – completing his hattrick.

As the match seemed over for Melbourne, Mariners still had time to hit more two goals and complete a total demolition of the premiers: Sam Silvera with an amazing cross found Beni N’Kololo free in front of the goal to head it home and make it five. Already in the stoppage time, N’Kololo gave his second assist of the match this time to Brazilian substitute Matheus Moresche, making it six for the Gosford-based side.

With an compreehensive win, Central Coast Mariners clear all the doubts and secured a famous win for the club that crows them the A-League champions of the 2022/23 season. A fantastic moment for the club, fans and players and especially for Brian Kaltak – the defender had not played professional football before this season. Now he is an A-League champion!

The nation of Vanuatu erupts in joy as Mariners and his national hero can celebrate now a superb season, completing it with the A-League’s title that confirms the quality of its players, including Kaltak, voted one of the best defenders of the competition prior to the Grand Final.